Top Heraklion Shore Excursions

Discover ancient Minoan history, Cretan farming culture, and magnificent island views on this full-day off-roading adventure from Heraklion. Travel in a rugged Land Rover along historic mountain trails, stopping along the way to visit the mythological Diction Cave, shepherds’ villages, the scenic Lassithi Plateau, and an eco park where traditional ways of life are still practiced. Replenish your energy with an included lunch and taste of ‘raki’ liqueur at a local tavern.

Spend a full day exploring Crete with a local guide. Visit Psychro Cave, the birthplace of Zeus, and a platanus tree that is according to local legend, the oldest tree on the island. You’ll also tour the villages of Mochos and Krasi and enjoy a traditional Cretan lunch in a local restaurant.

Discover the culinary delights of Crete on a day tour from Heraklion that includes wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and learning about the island's terroir. Visit a boutique winery and family-owned olive oil producer to sample wine and oil with your group. You'll have lunch at a mezze restaurant and gain insight into a piece of Crete's culture from a guide.

An exciting journey from the North to the South! The route passes through the entire island capturing part of the Psiloritis massif. From the foot of the mountains stretches the delightful beauty of Messara valley, which has been the island's breadbasket for centuries. During the ride you will hear the information about the history of the island and the sights that you will visit. Then, you can enjoy a walk in the preserved part of the ancient Roman capital of Crete Gortis, which is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sights in Greece. Then you have the unique opportunity to visit 2 of the most ancient Orthodox monasteries on the island: Panagia Paliani and Kalyviani. Finishing the trip, you will have time to swim in the crystal clear waters of Matala beach and dine in one of the traditional taverns located along the coast. For pick-up from different location than listed, please, contact us.

Uncover the mysteries of the ancient Minoan civilization on this private, half-day tour of Heraklion highlights. Explore the magnificent Knossos Palace, home to King Minos and legends of the Minotaur, and visit a world-class archaeological museum featuring artifacts dating back to 5000 BC. See the contrast of ancient and modern Crete with some free time in the port town of Heraklion, and enjoy personalized attention from your guide along the way. Entrance fees to Knossos Palace and Archaeological Museum at your expense.

The minibus picks you up outside your hotel and takes you to the port in Heraklion, where the boat leaves at 10 o'clock. During the trip to the Island Dia the captain will explain some of the history and secrets about the protected Island Dia. Reaching the Saint George bay it is time to walk to the little church or just enjoy the silence by snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing. Then it is time for lunch and to try the delight Cretan food that is prepared by the skipper. After lunch we sail of again to a second hided bay to relax and enjoy. Around 17 the boat slowly sails back to the port of Heraklion where you can see the city from a new point of view. In the port the minibus is waiting to bring you back to your hotel.

Cruise the northern coast of Crete with a local guide, stopping in several local villages along the way. Take a boat to the island of Spinalonga to learn about its cultural roots, visit a beach at the small bay of Kolokitha, enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch on the beach, and more.

Come with us on a journey along East Crete reveling in the endless luxuries of Lassithi Plateau that is basked in allure forests & fertile land dotted with iconic windmills. From the comfort of a luxury chauffeured vehicle at your disposal, our knowledgeable local insider will ensure you experience the best of the whole itinerary. Discover quaint villages, local lifestyle, storied monuments, Byzantine Monasteries & Cretan art. Tuck into a culinary odyssey & savor genuine tastes loved by our legendary forefathers. It’s our job to hook you up with only the most authentic eateries. Amble in the footsteps of gods to the Cave of Zeus. Plunge into the mythical birthplace & sense the sanctity of this ancient site. When in Knossos Palace, luxuriate in the eternal magnificence of the Minoan ruins & frescoes. Succumb to the personalized service of a top history-archaeology guide & let us stimulate you with eclectic information by ensuring a stress-free pace in all archaeological areas.

This Tour gives you the opportunity to visit on your own way so many places in one day that if not with a local guide it would be impossible to visit and find.We visit Monasteries, Churches, Agios Nikolaus City, Spinalonga Island, Krasi village where the oldest Platanus tree in Crete it's found, we have a traditional Cretan Lunch in the traditional village of Mochos where we visit a few beautiful churches, and in the end if we have time we can visit the fishing village of Sisi where we go for a walk on the Palm Bay. ACACIA TOURS MHTE1039e60000115201

This tour gives you the opportunity to explore the Real Crete away from the tourist resorts with amazing views, Lasithi Plateau the biggest one in Crete located at an altitude around 900 m above the sea level, visit old traditional villages where time seems to have stopped long ago , visit an olive oil factory where we learn how olive oil is made now and how used to be made with the old machines,enjoy a Cretan traditional meal, visit old wind mills and of course the Cave on the where Zeus was born .( I hope Zeus will be there when we visit him because last time I visited he had gone to the Olympus mountain). Acacia Tours MHTE 1039e60000115201

In one day you have a chance to explore Rethymno region highlights from North to South! During this tour you will visit beautiful Cretan village Spili, then enjoy a route along Kourtalioti gorge by car, where we recommend to stop for an easy walk and visit St.Nicholas Church. Then, you will reach the South coast and admire beautiful view of Preveli beach. You can visit the Preveli monastery and go down by stairs up to the beach to swim and walk in the virgin Palm Forest. Finally, you will explore the picturesque Rethymno town and have a lunch in the old town. Our professional guides will give you all the information about the route and advise you about the best activities, restaurants and must-see spots. It is a private tour, so it is up to you, how much time to spend at each destination, the program is flexible. Tell us about your preferences and we will adopt the program for your needs. We give you options, you choose! Book now and discover Rethymno region with Status MLB!

Succumb to a bespoke service of our top local guides with expert knowledge by the comfort of a luxury chauffeured vehicle at your disposal. Luxuriate along the stellar ruins & lavish frescoes of Knossos Palace appreciating it in a way few will ever get the chance to. Immerse into the labyrinthian marvel as we draw you back to a time when myth & history were indistinguishable. Where there’s culture, there’s wine. Let us chauffeur you to the heart of Central Crete, a rich Minoan land backed by olive groves & wine-red earth. Here you will discover boutique award-winning domains to sample Cretan vintages with divine flavors. With personal touch impressions soak up the entire collection of unique artworks & history of the archaeological museum of Heraklion by savoring each hall at your own pace. In the evening, stroll the aesthetically fortified city of Heraklion. Dazzle your senses with delicious aromas of garlic & basil pouring from superb restaurants with local-exclusive cuisine.

This excursion will take you to the east of Crete will show you wonderful places wonderful monuments crystal clear seas and an unforgettable experience of true Crete. That distinguishes us the locals here on the island is the hospitality and the effort to transmit our culture and traditions to our visitors The idea of the private tour is that ‎we can do everything at your own pace...

The most popular excursion that reveals the history of the Minoan civilization. During the tour you will see the richest collection of exhibits presented in the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, take a guided walk in the cultural center of the city of Heraklion, and finally, visit mysterious and mythical "LABYRINTH OF THE MINOTAUR" in the Palace of KNOSSOS. After the excursion program, you can enjoy an independent walk through the old part of the city surrounded by Venetian walls with many boutiques and souvenir shops. To feel like a local, order a cup of Greek coffee in one of the cozy street cafes and relax during the midday siesta.

Private tours are ideal for immersing into Crete’s culture through the tasting of local dishes, as well as wines, sweets and cheese. • Trip to the countryside. • Acquaintance with local traditions and customs. • Tasting of natural products grown without any chemicals. • Visiting the best restaurants and pastry factories • Tasting dishes from traditional Greek food. Our program: - Pick-up from your hotel or any other place within North Heraklion region (for other regions of the island extra charges may apply). - Visit to 2 wineries. - Tasting of Greek sweets and coffee in Cretan bakery. - Visit to cheese and herbs shops.* - Visit to the factory, where cold-pressed olive oil is produced.* - Lunch with 3-courses of traditional Greek cuisine at one of the most popular taverns of the island. *Available upon request, instead of 1 winery visit, depending on the date of the tour. According to your interests and wishes, some extra spots might be added/removed from the program.

Crete’s rich gastronomic palette is greatly influenced by the history. Due to its location in the heart of the Mediterranean it is at the crossroads of rich and versatile cultures. Balanced local cuisine combines seasonal ingredients that reflect the diversity of the fertile land of Europe’s southernmost point. During this tour you will visit: GREEK COFFEE: In one of the oldest shops on Heraklion’s bazaar street, you will learn about the tradition of roasting, grinding, brewing and serving Greek coffee. TRADITIONAL BAKERY: Meet the unique features of Cretan baking and try some traditional products. CHEESE SHOP: Tasting of traditional cheese varieties. HEALING HERBS: We will tell you about the unique spices and medicinal herbs of Crete. WINE SHOP LIRARAKIS: A great opportunity to get acquainted with the producers of branded wine, learn the basics of wine-making and taste 5 different wines. TAVERN: Enjoy traditional Greek cuisine in one of the traditional taverns.

Embark your special vehicle and start your tour. During this tour you will be taken back 4,000 years to the time of the oldest civilization in Europe. The Minoan Palace of Knossos, centre of the Minoan Civilization, will leave you breathless as you wonder over the technology and facilities of that period. After this fascinating tour, you will board your special vehicle onto Heraklion, the capital town and business centre of Crete which is a colorful and lively place. Sightseeing tour along Heraklion’s city walls, the Venetian harbour, the Byzantine Saint Titus church and the Lions Square with the former Morosini fountain. In Heraklion you have the choice to either enjoy a guided tour through the extraordinary Archaeological Museum, viewing the unique items from the Minoan culture or spend free time in town to browse at the shops in the centre.

Enjoy a day that combines nature with beautiful lush landscapes along with history and time to relax. An excellent opportunity to discover the real character or Crete. The excitement to discover is second to none, Try it!

When History meets art and craft. This excursion is for those who want to discover Crete from Rethymnon without a long way driving in bus. We start from the most important monastery of Crete: the Historical Monastery of Arkadi. After that, we will visit the Museum of Ancient Eleftherna with its historical findings from Homer’s era. Afterward, you will enjoy a guided tour to the pottery workshop “TSIKALARIO", where Miss Helen will show us the art of pottery but every visitor will also have the opportunity to create his own ceramic. Right after in a 2 km distance only, you will visit Margarites village where you will have free time for a lunch or a walk. The last destination on that excursion is Melidoni cave at an altitude of 220 meters. you will discover an amazing cave filled full with stalactites and stalagmites, but also full of History.

Cherries, Churches and the Valley of Amari. A hidden paradise between the mountain Kedros and Psilorites. Explore the beautiful landscape at the springtime. For only a few months the year, the valley open it’s beauty. The first stop is at the ceramic pottery village Margerithes. After you'll visit the hidden valley and see a carpet of flowers, particularly orchids and irises including Orphys mammosa (Breasted orphrys), Orchis pauciflora (Sparsley-flowering orchid), Orchis italica, Orphys tenthredinifera, Iris cretensis, Hermodactylus tuberosus and Romulea bulbocodium. The great profusion of flowers is due to the limestone on which the plateau is situated. One of the highlights of this plateau is the extremely rare Tulipa doerfleri, and it occurs in in such great numbers that the fields are coloured red! Later filled up with the beauty of the flowers you'll have lunch in a traditional taverna After a good meal you'll visit Spili, the heart of Crete bevor heading back.

The minibus picks you up outside your hotel and takes you to the port in Heraklion, where the boat leaves at 10 o'clock. During the trip to the Island Dia the captain will explain some of the history and secrets about the protected Island Dia. And brings you to places only accessible by boat. Use the provided snorkeling equipment to explore the crystal water and its natural treasures. Around 13 o’clock the boat slowly sails back to the port of Heraklion and you can relax and enjoy a snack and a drink.Coming closer to the port you can see the city from a new point of view. In the port the minibus is waiting to bring you back to your hotel.

Enjoy good sailing, clear tropical waters, warm sun and snorkeling at Dia island. This sailing trip is the perfect way to experience the island from another perspective – the sea.

Visit the Archaeological site of Malia, dating from the Middle Bronze Age which is the third-largest Minoan palace in Crete, built close to the beach. The majestic size, complex plan and multiple details of the palace make it a fascinating place to visit. The life there was much the same as in the other palaces, rich and prosperous. We will visit Agios Nikolaos, a small town with a picturesque harbor where you find one of the two sweet water lakes of Crete. e will then visit the oldest and most picturesque villages in Crete, called "Kritsa" built amphitheatrically on a rock hill, named Kastellos, surrounded by olive groves, at an altitude of 375 m & "Panagia Kera" to see the most important wall painting decorations in Greeceto!! Our next visit will be at "ELOUNDA" a small fishing town on the northern coast of the island of Crete. Last visit will be the island of "Spinaloga Island" was a Venetian fortress bulit in 1579 and was used as a Leper Colony!

A private group tour around Heraklion and a visit to the famous archeological sites of Knosos and the museum. Private tours privide flexibility and personalized service. Pick up and drop off from/to your accomodations makes the experience much quicker and saves time.